Burn Injuries Archives

Workers in oil fields and around gas pipelines in North Dakota and other states regularly put their lives on the line. A recent incidence in another state underscores the importance of compliance with safety regulations to prevent explosions. An incident at a pipeline worksite recently killed one worker and injured several others.

Two injuries have been reported after a serious explosion at an out-of-state gas processing plant, according to local sources. North Dakota residents are keenly aware of just how dangerous oil and gas jobs can be, as burn injuries and even death are all too common. Thankfully, in this case, no fatalities were reported. Both individuals will likely be entitled to workers' compensation benefits to help during their recovery period.

An oilfield is under scrutiny after the death of a worker was blamed on the company's negligence, according to local sources. North Dakota is the site of frequent incidents of oilfield injury, and the number of civil suits filed against oil companies is on the rise. This is particularly true in fatal accidents.

There are many opportunities for independent trucking operators in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota and surrounding areas. However, transporting these hazardous materials requires operators to comply with strict safety regulations. A federal judge recently noted that some of those regulations are not commonly observed by truck operators in the Bakken oil patch. Violations of these regulations can have devastating consequences, of which burn injuries are likely most prevalent.

It is no secret that the oil industry is a dangerous one for ground-floor workers dealing with hazardous conditions every day. However, burn injuries and even fatalities are rising at such an alarming rate in North Dakota that new studies looking into work hazards have been launched. It is hoped that these studies can be used to generate a better understanding of how these workplaces can be improved.

The oil fields of North Dakota are an ongoing source for oil production in the United States. Some say that in recent times, the push for more energy has led to a safety risk for oil rig workers and equipment operators. Reports of accidents or burn injuries suggest that the issue is ongoing. Those affected by such incidents may have need of legal help in the aftermath of an oilfield accident.

Reveal, which is part of The Center for Investigative Reporting, recently analyzed information related to deaths of workers in the Bakken oil fields and reported that 74 work-related deaths had occurred since 2006. That equates to one death approximately every six weeks, but the report mentioned that there may be many more, as all work related deaths are not recorded. The boom in the Bakken oil activities has been referred to as a serial killer. Some of these tragic deaths were the result of explosions that led to fatal burn injuries.

Mere days after the federal government unveiled new rules regarding safety standards for oil tankers transporting Bakken oil around the country, a train derailed and caught ablaze. The accident happened in North Dakota on May 6 and caused an indeterminate amount of damage. The accident highlights the importance of the new rules to prevent property damage and burn injuries that could result in workers' compensation filings by oil and train workers.

BNSF, the second-largest freight railroad network in North America, is being sued by a former employee. This follows a series of explosions that occurred when one of the defendant's trains carrying Bakken crude oil derailed in North Dakota in 2013. This case is reportedly the first time that legal action has been taken against an employer by an employee who worked on an oil train.

Environmentalists in North Dakota are concerned about the volatility of the Bakken crude gases. The significant increase in rail shipments of highly combustible Bakken crude oil is distressing, particularly because explosions typically have devastating consequences. Fatalities and severe burn injuries are often the results of such explosions.

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